scientific article; zbMATH DE number 1015878

This introduction to model theory arose from a lecture given by the author at Kiel University in the winter semester 92/93. The book is divided into four sections. The first section introduces the most basic notions such as structures, homomorphisms, languages and validity. The second section deals with the beginnings of model theory. It starts with the compactness theorem which is proved by means of ultraproducts. This theorem is used to show the upward Löwenheim-Skolem theorem and Maltsev's local theorems for groups. In this section, the author gives several examples of theories such as the theories of groups, rings, fields, vector spaces, Boolean algebras. Here the reader can also find some basic facts on well-orderings and the theorem of Marczewski-Szpilrajn on extensions of partial orders. In the third section, the author describes some fundamental properties of theories. He starts with elementary mappings, substructures, categoricity and prime models. He goes on with quantifier elimination and shows that the theory of algebraically closed fields admits quantifier elimination. The section ends with elementary chains and Lyndon's preservation theorem. The last section deals with types. The author shows the omitting types theorem. He gives a proof of Vaught's theorem on the nonexistence of a complete theory with exactly two countable models. Some of the basic concepts of model theory are exemplified for the theory of the group of integers. Here, he introduces the notions of stability and superstability. He shows that the theory of the group of integers has no elementary prime model. The book can be recommended as an introduction to model theory. Many examples as well as many exercises help the reader to get familiar with the basic notions of model theory. The book ends with hints for further reading.

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